Join us as we sit down with Sam and Maria to discuss their experience designing their engagement ring at Soha Diamond Co. From meeting at a community improv team audition, to their dreamy engagement in Italy, they talk with us about the process of crafting a symbol of their love that’s as beautiful as their story.
Q: Where did you meet, and how long have you been together?
A: In 2019, we were both living in Des Moines, Iowa. Maria was an anchor and reporter at a news station in the city, and Sam was a freelance videographer. In January of 2019, we both auditioned for a community improv team. We were in the same audition group and performed together before knowing each other’s names. We both got on the team, and became acquainted during weekly rehearsals. Sam slipped into Maria's DMs, and the rest is history.
Q: Tell us your proposal story!
A: We traveled to Italy in September 2022 and visited Rome, Cinque Terre, and Florence. On our first evening in Cinque Terre, we sat on some rocks overlooking the town of Riomagiorre. As the sun was setting, we drank wine and struck up a conversation with a Canadian sitting on a rock nearby. We asked him to take a picture of us, and Sam quietly asked him to record a video instead. With the town behind us, Sam surprised Maria and got on one knee. We immediately heard cheers coming from the town as, unbeknownst to us, strangers across the hillside had seen the proposal! It was a magical moment. A few minutes later, a man and a woman, each with cameras in their hands, approached us and told us they were wedding photographers, and they offered to take our portraits in the sunset. It was unbelievable luck, and we have cherished those photos ever since!
Q: What drew you both, as a couple, to Soha Diamond Co.?
A: They were recommended to us by two friends who had also gotten their engagement ring through Soha. We loved the idea of shopping at a local, small business as opposed to a big name jeweler. During our first meeting we appreciated how patient, friendly, and knowledgeable Soha and Aubree were, and we loved learning about the different designs and trying on rings. They made the process super easy and low-pressure, and we’ve loved keeping up with their growing business over social media.
Q: What factors were most important to you when designing your engagement ring?
A: We wanted the ring to be timeless and ethically sourced, and it was important to us that we were able to communicate openly with our jewelers - and Soha and Aubree satisfied all those needs fully!
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to a couple that may be interested in designing their own engagement ring?
A: Shop local small businesses, take time to understand what you’re purchasing, and be sure to purchase jewelry insurance :)
Soha Diamond Co. is a jewelry store located in Madison, Wisconsin:
